India steps up inspections of food establishments over hygiene violations — Channel NewsAsia
Indian authorities have stepped up oversight of compliance with food safety standards following surprise inspections of restaurants and other establishments in major cities. The campaign began in the western state of Maharashtra, where inspectors found unsanitary conditions, expired products and improper storage of raw materials.
More than 160 suspended licenses
According to Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration, inspectors had checked more than 3,000 establishments by the end of July. More than 160 food business licenses were suspended. During inspections, officials recorded the presence of flies, rats and cockroaches, peeling paint, violations of food storage conditions, as well as expired or adulterated raw materials.
As Channel NewsAsia reports, the more active phase of inspections began after Tukaram Mundhe was appointed commissioner of Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration in May. According to him, inspections are conducted on the basis of complaints and operational information, including reports submitted through government online portals.
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Measures for violators
Mundhe said that establishments that fail to comply with requirements will face measures provided by law, ranging from orders to remedy shortcomings to license suspensions. Businesses whose licenses have been suspended may temporarily halt operations, losing revenue and spending money on upgrading kitchens, storage facilities and hygiene procedures.
Branches of major fast-food chains and popular restaurants in Mumbai were among those inspected. Some resumed operations after addressing deficiencies and undergoing repeat inspections, while others remain closed. Owners and managers of some establishments criticize the actions of regulatory authorities, considering them excessively strict.
Inspections have also been stepped up in Bengaluru, Delhi and Kolkata. Inspectors are checking both restaurants and roadside food establishments.
